Academics

Division of Undergraduate Studies advising seminars to begin Jan. 28

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Every semester the Division of Undergraduate Studies invites the Penn State community to lunchtime presentations featuring academic advising topics. These lunch-and-learn sessions provide opportunities for professional development, networking and advising discussions. No registration is necessary, and all faculty and staff members are welcome to attend and bring a lunch if desired (the Feb. 13 seminar includes pizza and drinks). To accommodate schedules and campus locations, two seminars noted below will also be offered via Adobe Connect for live participation as well as recorded viewing later. 

Analyzing Student Performance in First-Year Math Classes: Updates and New InitiativesNoon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28114 McAllister Building

Recent Math Department data-analysis and -collection initiatives assessed the effectiveness of existing intervention programs. The purpose of this talk will be to revisit these discussions based on current analysis, describe the current data program, and discuss new initiatives focused on student work habits and self-efficacy factors, as well as address any near-term advising implications. James Hager, assistant director of Undergraduate Mathematics, will lead this session.ALEKS: The Impact of Changes in Math Assessment, Improvement and Placement *11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 (pizza and drinks will be offered)114 McAllister Building

What have we learned so far from our initial experience with ALEKS and from our students’ efforts to improve their skills by completing learning modules? What else do we need to know to help students select appropriate General Ed quantification courses? Join the discussion and also learn about policy changes for prerequisite enforcement. Leading this session will be James Sellers, associate head for Undergraduate Mathematics; Tanya Furman, associate vice president and associate dean for Undergraduate Education; and Janet Schulenberg, associate director of technology and curriculum for the Division of Undergraduate Studies.Does Media Use Influence Choice of Major? *Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 4110 Henderson Building (The Living Center)

This session will share results of a National Academic Advising Association-funded study conducted in 2013 to learn whether and how media use is related to a student’s choice of major. More than 2,000 communications and journalism majors at Penn State, Michigan State and University of South Carolina were surveyed on a range of potential influences on major choice, including personality traits, demographics, career intentions, exposure to television, and social media and technology use. The discussion will also address implications for media influence on other majors. Presenting this session from the College of Communications will be Anne Hoag, associate professor of communications.Contact Laura Brown at 814-865-7576 or lsb7@psu.edu for additional seminar details.* To participate in this session via Adobe Connect, visit http://meeting.psu.edu/advisingnoonseminars at the indicated time. A link to view the recording will be available at http://dus.psu.edu/advisers/advising_seminars.html soon after the session.The Division of Undergraduate Studies, a unit within the Office of Undergraduate Education, is Penn State’s largest unit of enrollment for first-year students, leads the development of advising policies and practices, manages the University-wide academic information network, and provides general academic advising for current and prospective Penn State students.

 

Last Updated May 12, 2016

Contact